Timepiece with modular display

ABSTRACT

A timepiece includes: a housing ( 10 ), a movement ( 12 ) provided in the housing, a piece of glass ( 14 ) closing the housing, a dial ( 60 ) provided between the movement and the glass, wherein the dial can assume a first state in which the elements located behind the dial opposite the glass are visible from the glass side and a second state in which the elements are hidden, a mobile part capable of movement between at least one first position and at least one second position respectively corresponding to the first and second states of the dial, and display members ( 16 ) provided between the dial and the glass. The timepiece further includes a lid movably mounted relative to the housing and kinematically connected to the mobile part for urging the same from the first to the second position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the horology field and concerns atimepiece with modular display comprising a case, a movement housed inthe case, a crystal closing the case and a dial arranged between themovement and the crystal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The evolution of horology, both mechanical and electronic, leads tooffering timepieces capable of displaying a large amount of informationor which may, in the eyes of the wearer, offer increasinglysophisticated mechanisms. However, it is not always desirable for all ofthe information offered by the watch to be displayed continuously,whether out of discretion or to favor reading of the time of certainparticular information, which can be made difficult by themultiplication of dials and other indexes.

In order to respond to this problem, it is known, for example fromdocument EP 0 484 821, to have a timepiece as defined above, in whichthe information to display is not always visible on the dial. Moreparticularly, the presented watch includes hands to display the currenttime and an LCD screen, to display particular information, connected toan alarm. A mobile plate is arranged so as to cover the LCD displayduring normal operation of the watch, and to retract when the alarm istriggered, in order to display the particular information.

The present invention aims to improve the type of device presented inthe aforementioned document, by adding a particularly original controlorgan thereto.

Another aim of the invention is to propose another modular displaysolution which, in particular, does not require forming an opening inthe dial, aside from that which may be necessary for the passage of thehands. Brief description of the invention

More precisely, the invention concerns a timepiece with modular displaycomprising:

-   -   a case,    -   a movement housed in the case,    -   a crystal closing the case,    -   a dial arranged between the movement and the crystal, said dial        being capable of assuming a first state in which element        situated behind the dial in reference to the crystal are visible        from the side of the crystal and a second state in which said        elements are hidden,    -   a mobile portion capable of moving between at least one first        position in which the dial is in its first state, and at least        one second position in which the dial is in its second state,        and    -   display members arranged between the dial and the crystal.

According to the invention, the timepiece also comprises a cover mountedmobile in relation to the case and kinematically connected to the mobileportion to make it go from its first to its second positions.

According to a first embodiment, the mobile portion is part of the dialand the latter is positioned opposite at least one display zone situatedbetween the movement. When the dial is in its first state, it does notallow outside light to pass, at least in said zone, and when the dial isin its second state, it is passed through by the light from outside thewatch in the direction of the movement, at least in the zone.

Advantageously, the dial comprises a first glass polarized in a firstdirection and a second glass polarized in a second direction, one of thetwo glasses defining the mobile portion. The glasses are arranged suchthat, when the dial is in its first state, the directions ofpolarization are oriented perpendicularly and are parallel in the secondstate.

According to another embodiment, the dial is pierced with an opening andthe mobile portion defines a fitting dimensioned and arranged so as tobe able to cover the opening.

The timepiece according to the invention can also include one or theother of the following features.

The cover and the frame are connected kinematically via an endlessscrew.

The cover and the frame are, moreover, connected kinematically via adifferential arranged so as to reduce the rotation created by the coverand transmitted to the frame.

The first and second extreme positions of the cover are defined by stopsand correspond respectively to the first and second states of the dial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly upon reading thedescription which follows, done in reference to the appended drawing, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a watch according to one preferredembodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views along an axis AA and BB,respectively, of the watch of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the differential.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a watch according to one preferred embodiment of theinvention. Conventionally, this watch includes a case 10, a movement 12,visible in FIG. 3 and housed in the case, and a crystal 14, closing thecase. In this alternative, the movement is of the mechanical orelectromechanical type and drives, for the display of the current time,a set of hands 16 arranged under the crystal, so as to be visible forthe wearer.

The watch also includes a cover 18 mounted mobile in reference to thecase. In the example shown, the cover 18 is articulated on the case 10along an axis AA so as to superimpose itself on the crystal of the watchwhen the cover is closed. The latter part receives a crystal 19 so as toleave the hands 16 visible when it is closed. The case is provided withtwo pairs of horns 20 to receive a bracelet. Preferably, the axis AA isperpendicular to the axis of the bracelet and the articulation isarranged between two horns of a pair. As shown more particularly by FIG.2, the case 10 extends, at its middle, by a frame 22 defining a housing.The frame is arranged between the horns 20 which receive thearticulation of the cover 18. One will note that the bracelet can beattached to the case along an axis parallel to, but not combined with,the axis AA.

The articulation of the cover on the case includes two hinge-pins 23extending the cover, each being interposed between a horn 20 and theframe 22. The articulation is also made up of two pivot-shanks 24pivoting respectively in both of the two walls opposite the frame 22perpendicular to the axis AA. Two joints 26 ensure the sealing and thepivoting of each of the pivot-shanks 24. The latter parts go through thewall of the frame 22 and are fitted, at a first of their ends, in eachof the hinge-pins 22 of the cover 18. If necessary, the first elementsof the bracelet are fixed between the horns and the hinge-pins.

As shown particularly by FIG. 2, at least one 24 a of the pivot-shanks24 ends, at its second end, with a female square arranged inside thehousing. As one skilled in the art understands, a female square 28 is anopening of square shape, arranged perpendicularly in relation to theaxis of the pivot-shank, so as to allow a driving in rotation aroundthat axis.

Inside the housing is positioned an endless screw 30, at the center ofwhich an arbor 32 of axis AA forming the hub of the screw 30 is fitted.At a first end, on the side of the pivot-shank 24 a, the arbor ismounted pivotingly on a stone 34 housed in a bridge 36, integral withthe housing. As one will understand later, the bridge is arranged so asto serve as stop for the pivot-shank 24, in order to limit the travel ofthe cover when it is opened. At its second end, the arbor is mountedpivotingly on a stone 38 housed in a wall of the frame 22. The arbor 32is therefore free in rotation in relation to the pivot-shank 24 a.

In order to kinematically connect the cover 18 to the endless screw 30,a differential 40, illustrated in detail in FIG. 4, is arranged betweenthe pivot-shank 24 a integral in rotation with the cover 18 and thearbor 32 integral with the endless screw 30. This differential 40 aimsto transmit the rotation created by the rotation of the cover to theendless screw, by reducing it.

At the entry of this differential, a male square 42 mounted free on thearbor assumes a position inside the female square 28 of the pivot-shank24 a, in order to be driven in rotation by the cover 18. This square isintegral with a satellite wheel holder, not shown, which drives at leasttwo planetary wheels 46 around the axis AA. The planetary wheels meshwith an inside toothing 48 of a ring 50 integral with the frame. Theseplanetary wheels 46 also mesh with a solar wheel 52, mounted free inrotation on the arbor 32. In order to have a more significant reduction,the differential illustrated as an example is dual. Thus, the solarwheel 52 is integral with a second satellite wheel holder, not shown,which also drives at least two planetary wheels 56 around the axis AA.The planetary wheels 56 mesh with the inside toothing of the ring 50.These planetary wheels also mesh with a second solar wheel 58, integralwith the arbor 32. This construction advantageously makes it possible tohave a significant gear ratio, with a mechanism taking up little space.It would be possible only to have a simple differential by using thesolar wheel 52 as differential exit. In this case, the latter part isintegral with the arbor.

One will also note that the diameter of the arbor 32 can advantageouslynot be constant. More precisely, in order to have a mechanically solidconnection between the arbor and the endless screw, the arbor can have afirst relatively significant diameter at the interface with the endlessscrew, whereas, in order to have solar wheels 52 and 58 of thedifferential 40 with small diameter, the arbor 32 has a second diametersmaller than the first, at the differential 40.

Under the crystal 14, the watch includes a dial 60 arranged under thehands 16. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, thedial is made up of two disks 62, 64 superimposed and made in polarizedglass pierced in their centers so as to allow the hands 16 to pass.

A first glass 62 is fixed, for example by clipping, adhesion, welding,screwing or by being retained by a fastening ring, on a flange 66included by the case.

A second glass 64 is fixed on a circular frame 68 mounted mobile inrotation around the center of the dial. This frame is arranged betweenthe flange and a fitting circle 70, which each comprise, opposite eachother, a ball path 72 between which the frame pivots. The second glass64 is situated sufficiently far from the movement to make it possible tohave small dials 74 to display different information, such as a smallsecond hand, power reserve, lunar phase, etc . . . The frame 68comprises, on its outer perimeter, a toothing 76 engaged with theendless screw 30. Thus, the pivoting of the screw 30 causes the frame68, and therefore the second glass 64, to rotate.

More particularly, the reduction realized by the differential 40, on onehand, and the ratio between the toothings of the endless screw 30 andthe frame 68, on the other hand, are determined such that, when thecover 18 goes from a first position in which it is closed on the crystalof the watch, to a second position in which it is open and abutting onthe bridge 36 via the pivot-shank 24 a, the second glass 64 turns by apredefined angle, the value of which may be, for example, 90° .Moreover, the two glasses 62 and 64 are arranged such that, when thecover is in its first position, the directions of polarization of thetwo glasses are parallel and, when the cover is in its second direction,they are perpendicular.

The cover therefore serves as control organ to modify the state of thedial. More particularly, when the cover 18 is closed, the two glasses 62and 64 forming the dial do not allow light to pass and only the hands 16are visible, behind the crystal 19 of the cover and that 14 of thewatch, on a black background formed by the dial 60. When the cover 18 isopen, the two glasses 62 and 64 forming the dial 60 allow at least someof the light to pass such that the particular indications displayedbehind the dial or possible openings allowing the movement to appear,are visible through the dial.

Although it is preferred, the above embodiment is only one particularexample illustrating the invention. The control organ could be realizedmore simply, for example by using a rotary bezel or a glass mountedmobile in the middle of the case. Moreover, the rotation of the screw 30can be brought about by a gear train in any location of the movement,for example to actuate a glass mounted mobile at a small dial, like whatwas described above for the main dial. The rotational movement createdby the cover and transmitted to the mobile frame can be reduced at thegear train, without a differential being necessary.

Moreover, it is possible to obtain, in different ways, a dial capable ofassuming

-   -   a first state in which, at least in a zone visible through the        crystal of the watch and normally used to display information,        it does not allow outside light to pass to the movement, and    -   a second state in which, at least in that zone, it is passed        through by the light coming from outside the watch up to the        movement, while remaining positioned opposite the zone.

In fact, one of the aims of the invention is indeed to conceal or makevisible information displayed under the dial, a decoration or a portionof the movement, situated on its upper face, i.e. on the side of thecrystal, but without the dial opening or retracting. The movementremains continuously protected by the dial.

Thus, the dial could also be made up of two prisms, at least one beingcapable of moving perpendicularly in relation to the plane of the dial.The upper prism, i.e. that situated on the side of the crystal, has acolored face which reflects the light when the dial is in its firststate and the two prisms are remote from each other. When the dial is inits second state, the first dial is brought into contact with the secondprism and interlocks therewith. The incident light then crosses bothprisms, without being reflected on the colored face, which makes itpossible to allow the light to pass up to the movement or the displayzone.

It is easy for those skilled in the art to mount a mobile prism, guidedin several points and stressed by a spring in order to avoid anyuntimely movement. A cam actuated by a control organ pushes the prismwhile stressing the spring, so as to bring it into contact with theother prism. The control organ can be a cover or one of the other organspreviously cited.

One could also imagine that the first and second glasses each have aregular alternation of identical portions of two types, the portions ofthe first type being polarized in a first direction and the portions ofthe second type being polarized in a second direction. One of theglasses is arranged in a frame mounted mobile in translation or inrotation. In the first case, the portions are strips, whereas in thesecond case, they are sectors. In the first case, the translation of themobile glass can be obtained in different ways, in particular via acover which can also be mobile in translation, like the cover of apencil box. The cover could also pivot, like in the embodimentpreviously described, the translational movement of the frame beingobtained via a cam, a spring organ ensuring the return of the frame toits initial position. In the second case, the rotation of the glass canbe obtained similarly to what was mentioned above.

The mobile frame is arranged so as to move between

-   -   a first position in which the portions of the first type of each        of the glasses are arranged in staggered rows (the same is        therefore true for the portions of the second type) such that        the light passes through both glasses, and    -   a second position in which the portions of the first type of a        first glass are superimposed on the portions of the second type        of the other glass (and vice versa), the directions of        polarization of said portions being oriented such that, in this        position, the light does not pass through both glasses.

Of course, in the case of a translational movement, the mobile glassmust include a resulting opening for the passage of the hands.

The dial can also include an LCD-type cell known by those skilled in theart, including a layer of liquid crystal arranged between two electrodesand between two polarizers oriented at 90° . Thus, when the cell is notpowered on, the incident light passes through the first polarizer,undergoes a 90° rotation through the layer of liquid crystal, passesthrough the second polarizer before being reflected and coming back outof the cell via the inverse path. When the cell is powered on, theliquid crystals align in the electrical field. The incident lightpolarized by the first polarizer does not undergo any rotation whilepassing through the liquid crystals and therefore cannot pass throughthe second polarizer. The cell therefore appears black.

Naturally, the timepiece must, in this embodiment, include an energysource connected to the cell. The control organ is preferably formed bythe cover which actuates a mobile portion serving as contactor. When thecover is opened or closed, the cell is powered on or off.Advantageously, the cell can be dimensioned as desired so as to occupyonly a determined zone of the dial.

Thus is proposed a timepiece proposing a modular display making itpossible to display, only and very readably, the current time or,additionally, other functions, a decoration or a portion of themovement, without needing to form openings in the dial.

According to a second aspect of the invention, aiming to improve thedevice described in document EP 0 484 821 and to adapt it to a watch notincluding electrical energy source, one skilled in the art can providethat the watch includes a dial of the conventional type, arrangedbetween the movement and the crystal, and pierced with an opening. Afitting dimensioned so as to be able to cover the opening is mountedmobile under the dial, between a first position in which it covers saidopening and a second position in which it leaves it free. A coversimilar to that described in the first embodiment above is arranged onthe watch and drives an energy transmission system, kinematicallyconnecting the cover to the fitting, like the mobile frame above. Thus,when the cover evolves between its first and second extreme positions,it drives the fitting instead of driving the mobile frame. In this way,when the cover is closed, the opening is covered by the fitting and anon-open dial is visible through the crystal of the cover. When thecover is open, the opening is free and allows a display of an additionalfunction, a decoration or a portion of the movement to show.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A timepiece comprising: a case, a movement housedin the case, a crystal closing the case, a dial arranged between themovement and the crystal, said dial being capable of assuming a firststate in which elements situated behind the dial in reference to thecrystal are visible from the side of the crystal and a second state inwhich said elements are hidden, a mobile portion capable of movingbetween at least one first and at least one second positionscorresponding respectively to the first and second states of the dial,and display organs arranged between the dial and the crystal, saidtimepiece also comprising a cover mounted mobile relative to the caseand kinematically connected to said mobile portion to cause it to gofrom its first to its second positions and to cause the dial to go fromits first to its second states.
 14. The timepiece of claim 13, whereinsaid mobile portion is part of the dial and wherein the dial ispositioned opposite at least one display zone situated between themovement and the crystal, and wherein, when the dial is in its firststate, it does not allow light from the outside to enter at least insaid zone, and wherein, when the dial is in its second state, it ispassed through by the light coming from outside the watch toward themovement, at least in said zone.
 15. The timepiece of claim 14, whereinthe dial comprises a first polarized glass in a first direction and asecond glass polarized in a second direction, one of the two glassesdefining the mobile portion, said glasses being arranged such that, whenthe dial is in its first state, the directions of polarization areoriented perpendicularly and are parallel in the second state.
 16. Thetimepiece of claim 15, wherein one of the glasses is mounted on a mobileframe kinematically connected to the cover.
 17. The timepiece of claim13, wherein said cover is capable of evolving between a first and asecond extreme position, and wherein the first and second extremepositions of the cover correspond to the first and second states of thedial, respectively.
 18. The timepiece of claim 14, wherein the dialincludes a first prism situated on the side of the crystal of the watchand comprising a colored face and a second prism having a shapecomplementary to the first, at least one of said prisms defining themobile portion so as to evolve between a first position defining thefirst state of the dial, in which the two prisms are distant from eachother and the light coming from the outside is reflected on the coloredface and sent back to the outside, and a second position defining thesecond state of the dial, in which the two prisms are in contact witheach other, the light coming from the outside passing through them. 19.The timepiece of claim 13, also including an electrical energy source,wherein the dial includes an LCD-type cell, the dial being in its firststate when said cell is powered on and in its second state when the cellis not powered on and wherein the mobile portion controls the poweringon of the cell.
 20. The timepiece of claim 13, wherein the dial ispierced with an opening, and wherein said mobile portion define definesa fitting dimensioned and arranged so as to be able to cover saidopening.
 21. The timepiece of claim 20, wherein the first and secondextreme positions of the cover are defined by stops and correspond tothe first and second positions of the fitting, respectively.
 22. Thetimepiece of claim 15, wherein the mobile portion is kinematicallyconnected to the cover by a reduction system.
 23. The timepiece of claim17, wherein the mobile portion is kinematically connected to the coverby a reduction system.
 24. The timepiece of claim 22, wherein thereduction system is a differential.
 25. The timepiece of claim 23,wherein the reduction system is a differential.
 26. The timepiece ofclaim 22, wherein the cover and the frame are kinematically connectedvia an endless screw.
 27. The timepiece of claim 23, wherein the coverand the frame are kinematically connected via an endless screw.
 28. Thetimepiece of claim 14, wherein said cover is capable of evolving betweena first and a second extreme position, and wherein the first and secondextreme positions of the cover correspond to the first and second statesof the dial, respectively.
 29. The timepiece of claim 15, wherein saidcover is capable of evolving between a first and a second extremeposition, and wherein the first and second extreme positions of thecover correspond to the first and second states of the dial,respectively.
 30. The timepiece of claim 16, wherein said cover iscapable of evolving between a first and a second extreme position, andwherein the first and second extreme positions of the cover correspondto the first and second states of the dial, respectively.
 31. Thetimepiece of claim 16, wherein the mobile portion is kinematicallyconnected to the cover by a reduction system.
 32. The timepiece of claim20, wherein the mobile portion is kinematically connected to the coverby a reduction system.
 33. The timepiece of claim 21, wherein the mobileportion is kinematically connected to the cover by a reduction system.